Tower developer sues Springfield after project denied

Tower developer sues Springfield after project denied

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The company that wanted to build a 180-foot-tall cell phone tower in northwest Springfield is suing the city for denying the project.

The Springfield News-Leader reported BRT Group filed a federal lawsuit against Springfield earlier this month. The company was hired by T-Mobile to build the tower.

BRT said in its lawsuit that city officials considered issues they shouldn't have and failed to provide a written explanation for the denial.

When the city council discussed the proposal in January, council members who opposed it questioned the need for a new tower two blocks away from an existing one. However, a Missouri law passed in 2014 limits what local officials can consider.